Tatty advertboards to bereplaced

The advertising sites are used for posters for future shows and exhibitions at the Alexandra Theatre and Hotham Arts Centre.

But they have become eyesores because they are rundown and damaged.

The current operator of the centre, Arun Arts, has made plans to replace the boards with a 21st century version. The preferred replacements have stainless steel frames with clip-on facilities for posters.

But theatre manager Adam Cunard said it could take up to a year to replace the current boards. Initial quotes for 12 boards showed the cost would be 400-600 for each site.

In addition, a new larger advertising display to replace the current one at the front of the centre would set the trustees of Arun Arts back another 2,500.

The blue notice boards probably date from the opening of the-then Regis Centre in 1977. There were 26 of them at first. Just 11 remain.

Four are sited around Bognor, three each are in Felpham and Aldwick, while Bersted has one. Yapton had a board until recently and it could be replaced.

'We have been looking at what we can do with these boards,' Mr Cunard told Bognor Regis Civic Society's latest meeting.

'The boards are warped and rotten. They have had their day. It's not just a case of sticking on the posters and removing them.

'We employ someone for a couple of hours on a Tuesday to go round the boards putting up new posters.

'But that is not long enough to get round every board. Because they are in such a bad condition, trying to get the old posters off takes a while.

'Either that, or the posters come off quickly because they are not sticking. Until we get new boards, we are just going to have to put up with what we have got.'

Mr Cunard explained that the trustees could turn their attention to installing new boards having become established after a year running the centre.

The sites were important advertising tools to spread the word about the theatre's forthcoming attractions.

They could also be used to advertise films at the Picturedrome cinema now that it had come under the same overall control.

Spaces on the boards could also be sold for other advertising or to highlight sponsors to raise money, he added.

He was responding to complaints by Bognor and Aldwick parish councillor Greg Burt about the state of the boards.

He said: 'The state of the boards doesn't do anything for the theatre.'

'Certain councillors are angered by the boards. If new boards are going to be organised, some parish councils might be willing to help.'

Aldwick Parish Council chairman Cllr Dr Jim Ramage, who was in the meeting's audience, advised Arun Arts to apply for a grant for those boards in the parish.

'We have just advertised for grant applications for this year. You should get an application in during the next couple of months and you could get your money by Christmas if you are successful.

'I should think the parish would be delighted if at least one of the boards was replaced. But I can only support the application. I can't make the decision,' he stressed.